Tunisian president meets Saudi foreign minister in Tunis Prince Faisal co-chairs Saudi-Tunisian Political Consultation Committee meeting    Crown Prince to outline domestic and foreign policy priorities during Shoura Council address Wednesday    Hajj Ministry launches catering challenge to foster innovation in services to pilgrims    Saudi Arabia slams Israel's use of blockade and starvation as tactics to impose forceful displacement    PIF chief says Saudi transformation could outpace China's, outlines 'filtration' investment process The Fund to unveil its next five-year strategy soon    Arcapita acquires C&K Paving, expanding its global business services portfolio    Israel carries out attack against Hamas leadership in Qatar    Saudi Arabia strongly condemns brutal Israeli aggression on Qatar    French PM François Bayrou loses crucial confidence vote in parliament    Czech Republic and allies break up Belarus spy network in Europe    Anastacia: Arnold Schwarzenegger made me sing Whatta Man 12 times    Saudi Real GDP records growth of 3.9% in Q2 2025    PIF signs MoU with Macquarie Asset Management to boost investments in infrastructure and energy transition    Thousands pay their last respects to Giorgio Armani, private funeral on Monday    French doctor goes on trial for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally    The key to happiness    Gamers frustrated as Hollow Knight: Silksong crashes stores on launch    Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. set to meet in exhibition boxing match in 2026    Al Hilal sign Turkish defender Yusuf Akcicek on €22m deal until 2029    Al Qadsiah sign German midfielder Julian Weigl to strengthen defensive midfield    Al Ahli secure Flamengo starlet Matheus Gonçalves in long-term deal through 2027    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



KAUST and SABB announce winners of TAQADAM startup accelerator program
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 11 - 03 - 2021

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and partner Saudi British Bank (SABB) today announced the winners of the TAQADAM startup accelerator program.
Seventy-six founders from 37 startups, 45 percent of whom are women, competed for a prize pool of over SR 4 million in zero-equity funding during a virtual event held on March 10.
Judges selected 10 winners to receive a prize valued at SR 375,000 each. In addition, an audience of over 4,200 virtual attendees voted on a People's Choice award winner for a prize valued at SR 375,000.
"The graduates of the 2020 TAQADAM startup accelerator did an amazing job," said Dr. Kevin Cullen, vice president of Innovation and Economic Development at KAUST.
"Eleven startups were selected to receive additional funding, but all 37 are winners. Our Saudi entrepreneurship ecosystem is developing at an incredible rate and the quality presented on March 10 was outstanding. We couldn't be prouder of all of them."
The 2020 TAQADAM startup accelerator cohort included startups from diverse industries; including eCommerce, HealthTech, EdTech and FinTech.
Through three-minute pitches, the graduates presented virtually to a network of top-tier local and international investors and judges. The 11 winning startups are:
• AlGooru: Mobile education platform that matches students with qualified tutors.
• Jaleesa: App connecting parents with certified babysitters.
• Logexa: On-demand warehousing service for small businesses.
• Polymeron: Biodegradable and sustainable materials manufacturer.
• Raed: Educational storytelling app for primary school children.
• Themar: Peer-to-peer, Shariah compliant online financing marketplace.
• Udawi: Free online service connecting patients with health care providers.
• Uvera: Compact, portable device to extend vegetable and produce shelf life.
• Wethaq: Financial technology platform for securities management.
• White Helmet: Remote construction project management platform.
• People's Choice Award Winner: Tmyyoz, an online education platform for standardized test preparation.
The six-month-long TAQADAM startup accelerator program, which is based in Saudi Arabia at KAUST and sponsored by SABB, aims to develop early-stage entrepreneurs and their concepts into new, high-potential startups.
The competition was fierce for the 2020 cohort, as only 59 of the 561 startups that applied were accepted. Selected teams received SR150,000 in zero-equity grant funding. Startups use these funds to accelerate operations, grow their business and expand their teams.
Following an exceptionally successful cohort, the door is now open for applicants to the 2021 TAQADAM startup accelerator cohort, with applications closing on April 10, 2021. Startups interested in participating are encouraged to apply here [https://taqadam.kaust.edu.sa/]. Founders based outside of Saudi Arabia are welcome to apply.
Accepted startups will receive SR150,000 of zero-equity funding to grow their business, be paired with expert mentors, participate in training programs and workshops to guide them in growing their business, and become part of Saudi Arabia's leading community of startups. Participating teams will also be given access to co-working and lab facilities.
In 2016, KAUST and SABB partnered to launch the first TAQADAM startup accelerator program as a way to support entrepreneurs in taking the first leap toward founding a startup. The accelerator has now graduated 126 startups and granted over SR16 million in zero-equity grant funding. — SG


Clic here to read the story from its source.